One thing that is almost universal when it comes to the student experience is the dirty shared kitchen. Nobody means for it to get so filthy but it just happens. Cityheart Living are here to share five incredible hacks for keeping your student kitchen spick and span!
Stay on top of things
Our first hack is to try and not let it get so dirty in the first place. It’s easier said than done, of course, but if you have a cleaning rota in place it can make things a lot easier. Staying on top of it is a lot less daunting than waking up one day to find there are no clean spoons and the bin has mould on it! Be open and honest with your flatmates about the situation, and try to work together to stop it getting too dirty in the first place.
Get a spray mop
Spray mops are life-changing, trust us. They take up less space than a traditional mop and bucket, and you don’t have to faff around filling one up every time you need to mop the kitchen. You can pick them up for less than £10 and they couldn’t be easier to use. Having equipment that makes the job simple means people are more likely to actually do it…
Stock up on bicarbonate of soda
For an effective and low-cost cleaning product, bicarbonate of soda is your best friend. It can be used to clean your kitchen in so many different ways, so make sure you’ve always got some in the cupboard. It absorbs strong food odours from inside the fridge, and you can mix it with water in a spray bottle to clean surfaces. Pour some down the sink followed by some vinegar, then cover the plug hole with a cloth and leave for a few minutes. Tip some boiling water down and hey presto, your sink is no longer blocked!
Stop your bin from smelling
Smelly kitchen bins are one of the worst things about student accommodation – this is something a lot of people can agree on! To prevent too much odour, soak a cotton ball in some essential oil or a concentrated disinfectant like Zoflora, then pop it in your bin. Replace it every time you empty the bin (and yes, this should be at least weekly…) and you should have a much nicer smelling kitchen.
Let your blender clean itself
With so many people getting into making their own soups, sauces and smoothies to save money or boost a health kick, a lot of student kitchens are home to a blender. These can be a nightmare to clean, but they don’t have to be. Simply squirt in some washing up liquid, add some water, turn the blender on and watch it bubble. Rinse it out and there you have it – a clean blender in next to no time!
These are just five simple hacks for keeping your student kitchen clean. Cityheart Living offers safe and secure student accommodation across Gloucester and Hereford, striving to ensure students feel comfortable and at ease in their new home.
